HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-001 - Condemning the Acts of Armed Violence, Domestic Terrorism, and InsurrectionRESOLUTION NO. 2021-001
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SANTA ANA STRONGLY CONDEMNING THE ACTS OF
ARMED VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC TERRORISM, AND
INSURRECTION AT THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL ON
JANUARY 6, 2021
WHEREAS, on January 6, 2021, a joint session of Congress convened at the
United States Capitol to certify the results of the 2020 presidential election declaring
Joseph R. Biden, Jr. as the winner; and
WHEREAS, that same morning, the sitting President of the United States, Donald
J. Trump, addressed his supporters at a nearby rally, calling the outcome of the election
"this egregious assault on our democracy" and urging them to march on the Capitol in
protest of what he falsely claimed was a stolen election; and
WHEREAS, hundreds of armed individuals shortly stormed the Capitol complex,
forcibly entering the building, breaking windows and doors, draping a Trump flag over the
Capitol balcony, halting for several hours the process of the vote certification, and forcing
dozens of members of Congress, journalists and other officials to take cover, flee the
building, and don gas masks; and
WHEREAS, Americans and their families watched in horror while these shocking
events unfolded at the Capitol and many question why law enforcement agencies did not
better anticipate and prepare to defend our lawmakers and our institutions; and
WHEREAS, shots were fired in the melee, and at least five individuals, including a
U.S. Capitol Police Officer, died in the violence; and
WHEREAS, these acts were domestic terrorism, where extremists who were
violent white supremacists and neo-nazis with intent to harm life, limb, and property
mounted a frightening insurrection and attempted coup against the U.S. Government at
one of the world's most iconic emblems of democracy, all as incited by President Trump;
and
WHEREAS, these violent actors damaged federal property and destroyed multiple
federal offices at the Capitol, leaving a threatening note at the House Speaker's office
and causing staff members in the building to cower with fear and barricade themselves;
and
WHEREAS, electronic devices and documents with critical government data left
unattended as staff evacuated at breakneck pace were accessed and taken from offices,
compromising national security; and
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WHEREAS, the United States flag was desecrated and replaced with Trump and
Confederate flags, and explosive devices were later found surrounding the Capitol and
safely detonated; and
WHEREAS, several hours after the attempted coup by white supremacist
domestic terrorists, the Capitol building was cleared and secured, with lawmakers
returning to complete their duty to certify the results of the election; and
WHEREAS, in a video statement later removed from social media, President
Trump declared that the election had been "stolen" and told his supporters to "go home,"
ending with the words "I love you'; and
WHEREAS, in a statement on Twitter later removed, the President wrote: "These
are the things and events that happen when a sacred landslide election victory is so
unceremoniously & viciously stripped away from great patriots who have been badly &
unfairly treated for so long" and "Go home with love & in peace. Remember this day
forever!'; and
WHEREAS, the violence, destruction, and loss of life at the United States Capitol
Building was clearly one of the worst and saddest days in the history of American
Democracy; and
WHEREAS, there has been widespread and bipartisan condemnation of the
violence at the Capitol, resulting in loud calls for the President's removal from office.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Santa
Ana as follows:
Section 1. The City of Santa Ana vehemently condemns the violence and
desecration occurring at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021, and hereby:
A. Condemns the individuals that incited the domestic terrorist attack and stands
with all our duly elected lawmakers who continue to protect and defend the
Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.
B. Declares that the actions of the individuals who violently breached and
vandalized the United States Capitol Building are deplorable and that those
individuals responsible for such violent acts should be held criminally
responsible for their actions.
C. Recognizes that violent opportunists used the cover of legitimate protests to
sow chaos and destruction and threaten lives at one of the most sacred
buildings where elected officials carry out the business of the people of the
United States of America.
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D. Urges that Americans continue to exercise their First Amendment rights to
legitimately and peacefully protest and do so without injuries to people or
property.
E. Acknowledges that the reprehensible actions at the United States Capitol were
an unacceptable threat to democracy and that such threats and damage to our
democratic institutions at any level can never be tolerated.
F. Calls for a peaceful transition of power, which is among the hallmarks of
American Democracy.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by
the City Council, and the Clerk of the Council shall attest to and certify the vote adopting
this Resolution.
ADOPTED this 12th day of January, 2021.
Vicente Sarmiento
Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Sonia R. Carvalho, City Attorney
By: OT4 F�,
Jfdhn M. Funk
Sr. Assistant City Attorney
AYES: Councilmembers
NOES: Councilmembers
ABSTAIN: Councilmembers
NOT PRESENT: Councilmembers
Bacerra, Hernandez, Lopez, Mendoza,
Penaloza, Phan, Sarmiento (7)
None (0)
None (0)
None (0)
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CERTIFICATION OF ATTESTATION AND ORIGINALITY
I, DAISY GOMEZ, Clerk of the Council,
Resolution No. 2021-001 to be the original
City of Santa Ana on January 12, 2021.
Date: January 14, 2020
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do hereby attest to and certify the attached
resolution adopted by the City Council of the
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Daisy Gomez
Clerk of the Council
City of Santa Ana